Celebratory firing at Ravindra Jadeja's marriage: Gujarat top cop says it's lesser compared to UP

Gujarat in-charge DGP P P Pandey on Monday termed as a "minor issue" the celebratory firing at wedding ceremony of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, saying in his home state of Uttar Pradesh such practice is common where at least 100 rounds are typically fired in every marriage.

"It's a minor issue. I am from UP. Hundred to two hundred rounds are fired in every marriage there," Pandey told television reporters who asked him to comment on the celebratory firing at the cricketer's wedding in Rajkot on Sunday. He said such incidents are not "uncommon in marriages" in Uttar Pradesh.

The 27-year-old left-handed batsman tied the nuptial knot with Reeva Solanki in a ceremony at Rajkot where a reveller opened celebratory firing in the air. Pandey had taken over from outgoing DGP P C Thakur on Saturday after the latter was transferred to New Delhi on a Central deputation as Director General Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

Police yesterday initiated inquiry after a reveller shot several rounds in the air in Jadeja's marriage procession. Nobody was injured in the incident.

The incident occurred when a reveller, apparently a relative of Jadeja, who was within a few feet of the horse-mounted cricketer, fired in air from his revolver. Police had said it's illegal to use even licensed firearms except in cases of self-defence.

Rajkot police had already launched an inquiry to find if the revolver used was licenced or not.